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Saturday, March 27, 2010

We add plants to our gardens for various reasons. We think they're beautiful, they are the right height, the right color, they bloom at the right time. But I add plants to my garden for yet another reason. Their name.

Last fall, I bought some daffodil bulbs only because of their name. My husband's name is Roman, and he goes by Romie, just as his grandfather for whom he was named did. The spelling is a little different - 'Romy' - but that's of no matter.

I bought a Japanese Maple last year at the Cincinnati Flower Show because it was called 'Harp Strings' and I used to play the harp.

Acer palmitum 'Koto-No-Ito' ('Harp Strings') in October 2009

And now, I've learned via Annie's Annuals Tweeter elayne, that there's a Dahlia named 'Kylie.' Again, the spelling is a bit different than mine (Kylee), but you know I have to have it anyway. It's part of the Munchkin Border Dahlia Series and so far, I've only found one source for it.

Dahlia 'Kylie'

Do you have any plants in your garden that you bought based solely on the name?

EDIT: To search for plants with a specific name, visit Dave's Garden, and use their search form. In the Cultivar field, type the name you wish to search for and it will bring up plants that contain that name.

Oh yes, I have done this. I have a whole series of daylilies that have bird names. I have Kerria bush due to my daughter's name being Carrie. I have a hosta named Pat for a friend of mine. I know there are several others I just can't think of them now. I am a sucker for plants named for family and friends.

I'm trying to remember if I have gotten plants because of their names. I did avoid devil's paintbrush and Lucifer crocosmia for ahwile, but decided that God made all plants, and I should go ahead and grow them if I like them. The crocosmias died out though, because they area really zone 6 plants. Some zone 6ers grow in my 5b, but these haven't lasted more than a couple or 3 seasons.

Well, I still didn't think of plants I chose because of their names. I sure like the ones you picked, though.

Kerri ~ My mom once had a mum named 'Jenna.' Wish I could find that one now! (That's our younger daughter's name.)

Lisa ~ I like this, too, Lisa! I just need to look for some others that are family members' names!

Joy ~ Oh yes, all five of our Japanese Maples survive just fine here in zone 5b! I love them!

Sue ~ I had Crocosmia once, too and never did get them to winter over. I think they're really pretty, so I wish they did, but they don't. I have a few zone 6 plants, too, that live here, but I try to avoid them if possible. Sometimes they're just too beautiful not to try though!

Right now I can't only think of one plant I bought for the name, my grandmother's name was Helen and she loved rose of sharon. I found one named Helena so I had to buy it. I fall for things like that all the time. Usually though I can't remember their names. I tend to remember common names better than the botanical. Hell I have trouble remembering my own name half the time. Yours are all very beautiful and I think if I were to do that from now on, then maybe I could remember what kind of plants I have. Good idea!

Teresa ~ Did you know about Helen's Flower (Helenium)? It blooms in late summer gives great color at that time of year. If you like plants that have names of those you love, check daylilies. I swear, there's enough of those that you're sure to find one with just about any name! LOL

Pam ~ Good for you! I'll bet you could find several plants with Pam in the name! You could probably have an entire "Pam Garden!" :-)

Gail ~ Maybe they ARE! Isn't it funny the different ways names are utilized and what meanings we give them?

Kylee, I'm often drawn to plants by their names, too. But it isn't always successful. For instance, I'm on my third try at growing an oriental poppy called 'Helen Elizabeth' (my first and second names). It's the right zone and right location, but for some reason hasn't taken so far. Hoping third try's the charm... then I'll have to accept defeat.

I'm not usually too hung up on names (except that I won't plant that Hydrangea named for a Teletubbie). I bought Tulips with my daughter's name solely on that basis. Good thing they're beautiful. I also grabbed Geranium 'Bob's Blunder' because I found the name humorous.

Absolutely have bought plants for the name, Kylee - in IL ordered daylilies with names of family members and in TX found a few Salvias and cosmos for daughters-in-law. At least those plants were sensible choices for where we lived! The Bliss Hydrangea x 'Sweet Carol' is not happy in Austin, but I needed it because of May Dreams Carol & Yolanda Elizabet.

The Kylie dahlia is pretty cool - wonder if it's named for Australian Kylie Minogue? Loved her as the Green Fairy in Moulin Rouge.

I have not ever bought plants or bulbs for their names but think all of your are lovely in both name, colors and forms. I love Romy! Good luck with the Japanese Maple... I took harp lesson for a few weeks... I can see why you would love this tree for its name and colors! Your Kylee Dahlia is a no brainer... lovely namesake!

Indeed I have bought plants because of their name - Miss Willmott lilac because I am fascinated by the real Miss Willmott, Bonnie Kate iris for a daughter Kate, and right now I am planting a Henry garden for my husband. I have a Henry sweetspire (itea) and Henryii and White Henry lilies. I have a Diane witchhazel on my list for this spring, for daughter Diane.

I recently bought the prettiest pink Dahlia because it had the same name as my niece. I also just bought seeds for a lettuce variety called drunken frizzy haired woman (I feel like I should get royalty money for that one. )http://www.territorialseed.com/product/5562/s

Before I start on my list, let me just say that Japanese Maple Harp Strings is a gorgeous threadleaf!!! Yes, I have purchased many plants for the name only. Camellia 'Our Linda' for my friend Linda for Christmas, just bought a few Dianthus with a cultivar name Rachel, my oldest daughter. Once we get to SC I will get a Clematis 'Rebecca' for my other daughter. Before we leave I will have to dig up my Ledebouria cooperi -- spelled closely enough that I had to buy it a few years ago. And last there is a David Austin rose named Janet.....need I say more?

LOVE the coloring on that daffodil! I have a rose in my garden named "Agnes" for my mother, who passed away a few years ago. But it froze and went back to a wild form, so I am looking for a replacement for it.

I like the sentiment of using names as an occasional way to select plants. I've looked at an amaryllis called Lady Jane; maybe next fall I'll get it even though the color isn't one I'm too excited about. I've also looked at a hosta named Hoosier Harmony; I am originally from Indiana though now garden in upstate NY.

eric ~ Oh, I'm sure there are plenty of them. You can check using the link I provided for Dave's Garden.

Helen ~ I have trouble growing Oriental Poppies. It looks like a few of them I planted last year are going to make it while the other one is looking iffy right now. The key to growing them is drainage. They HAVE to have good drainage. But you probably already know that. Some plants are just bugaboos, aren't they?

MMD ~ Well, see, you do it a little bit. LOL. 'Bob's Blunder' was that one I liked, if I remember correctly.

Annie ~ Oh goodness. Daylilies. If there isn't a daylily with someone's name, just wait, there will be! There are so many more Kylees out there now. When I was growing up, there were NONE! I'm probably the oldest Kylee anyone knows. I'd be curious to know if anyone knows one older than 52.

Sabrina ~ Yes, I AM coming to the Cincy Flower Show! I'll be there April 22 and 23rd. Actually, I'll be at the show on the afternoon of the 23rd only. I'll be at the GWA meeting the rest of the time. Let me know if that works for you! (Lucky you, living so close to it!)

patientgardener ~ Would that be your name? :-)

Carol ~ I wish I could sit and play the harp now. I took lessons for two years. I loved playing it, but life kind of got in the way, as it sometimes does. It's not an easy instrument, is it?

Commonweeder ~ Hi Pat! You need Rudbeckia 'Henry Eiler'!

notsocrafty.com ~ Too funny!

Janet ~ I love it. All good reasons for buying each one!

Heather's Garden ~ I found one that does well for me, but I've also killed a couple!

pia ~ Thanks for visiting!

Connie ~ Awww. I hope you can find another!

Jane ~ I think 'Lady Jane' is really pretty! But I've never met an amaryllis I didn't like either. Oh, now you HAVE to have 'Hoosier Harmony!'

Hi! its me again I just wanna say those were Pretty flowers! Seems your garden was so healthy. Wish I can have a healthy garden too. I'm been looking for interesting topic as this. Looking forward for your next post. Keep posting!

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